Only at Western

A long-term partnership with Western Wyoming Community College received a major boost this summer with a Williams donation worth approximately $500,000.

The donation came in the form of a centrifugal pump used to move natural gas liquids through pipelines. In addition, the State of Wyoming stepped up and matched the value of the pump - $257,954. The pump will be used in the oil and gas production and compression program offered at the college's Rock Springs, Wyo., campus. The match will go into the state's education foundation that provides scholarships and support for programs.

"Williams is a wonderful partner of Western Wyoming Community College; it is people like you who make great things happen," said college President Karla Leach in response to learning about the donation in June.

"One of our most significant core values at Williams is to become a partner with the community where we do business," says Pete Torres, Williams Manager of Operations for the Overland Pass Pipeline, who spearheaded the donation. The oil and gas program "has had an equal benefit for Williams as well as the community. It has helped the youth here stay in the community and get better employment," he adds.

Williams has donated other equipment to the oil and gas program in the past, but the centrifugal pump was a first and was eagerly accepted, Pete says.

Lynne Chadey, Williams Human Resources Business Partner, and Pete Torres serve on the college advisory board. Lynne also has served on the college's Board of Trustees since 2008.

Both Pete and Lynne extend their thanks to 7X Energy for donating equipment and manpower to deliver the pump to the college.

Lynne says the college has programs geared toward the oil and gas workforce at the college's Rock Springs campus: Oil and Gas Technology, Natural Gas Compression Technology as well as Electrical and Instrumentation Technology. More than two years ago Williams hired a summer intern, Nate Noble, who was in the Oil + Gas program.

Upon graduation in 2010, Nate joined Williams at the Echo Springs natural gas processing plant. Williams has awarded several scholarships and internships over the past few years, but Nate was the first WWCC student Williams hired after completing the program.

"The types of educational programs that WWCC offers are important because they encourage investment in the next generation that will forge careers in the oil and gas industry," Lynne says.

She also believes the college's training program allows students to become skilled workers who are able to find jobs and stay in the state upon graduation.